Judge — August 26, 1916 — page 8: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

T WAS a lovely afternoon in midsum- mer. A beautiful girl was. sitting on the beach looking off on the distant vessels, when the young man, who had just come in on the last train and had only stopped at the hotel to put on his white shoes, slipped down beside her and said: “Excuse me, but this is a fine day.” “Very nice.” “T shall be here for the conventional two weeks. Terrible time they’re hav- ing in Europe.” “Indeed!” ‘ 4 “Tf you don’t happen to bein love with anyone else, I should be glad to engage your attention during my stay. By the way, I see that home rule in England is practically assured.” She looked at him curiously. “Dear me!” He settled a little closer, and smoothing out the white glove that laid by her side, said absently: “Of course, I don’t want to intrude; but you know the sum- mer time is one of relaxation and irresponsibility, and I think I can make it interesting. Understand that I am entirely at your disposal. Too bad about China. She certainly is having a hard time to raise money.” The beautiful girl at his side moved her parasol impa- tiently. “Of course, you understand,” said the young man, “that I wouldn't, for the world, intrude upon you in case my presence is distasteful; but I think we might have a very interesting time. Suppose we lay out a little program? Bathing in the morning at eleven, a nice row in the afternoon, then we will listen to the band, and in the evening, what do you say to a quiet téte-a-téte? Speaking of Mexico, I wouldn't be surprised if Huerta was down and out.” “Indeed! “Will you pardon me for saying that you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen? Those eyes! They remind me of the wonderful tints of the Mediterranean. Speaking of the Mediterranean, I am glad that Crete has gone back to HE WAS ALL RIGHT Grece. Ofcourse, Austria’s part in that By CHESTERTON Balkan affair was certainly not to her credit, I hope you agree with me?” “Perfectly.” He carelessly took up her hand. “The more I see you, the better I like you,” he said. “In fact, to be candid with you, my whole being is stirred with emo- tion. Think of it! Two wecks of solid bliss. Two weeks of heart to heart communings. What do I care for the Parcel Post or the Pension List or the price of coal or the campaign? With you by my side I can——” She turned upon him languidly with her Mediterranean ey “May I ask, sir, what your business is?” she said. But the young man was not disconcerted. Snuggling a little closer, and absentmindedly putting his arm within about six inches of her back ruffle, he said: “Certainly. I am the manager of a newspaper clipping bureau, on the first vacation I have had for years; and I can assure you, my dear girl, that in case we should by any possi- bility fall in love and become engaged to each other, I can positively guarantee that the following morning your name will appear in 2,462 papers without charge.” TODD If there is such a thing as a hoarse chuckle in the hereafter, wouldn’t you like to hear Jules Verne’s? “Say, mister, can’t ye'move on a bit? Yer car's right on third base” comichooks.com